Increase Our Faith
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Luke 17:5-6
When I was confirmed many years ago, my godmother gave me a necklace with a mustard seed inside a clear pendant. I remember being struck by how small the seed was—tiny enough to barely see, yet powerful enough to become something far greater. That little necklace became a reminder of a big truth: even small faith, when placed in a great God, can do amazing things.
Many times in life, like the disciples, I’ve found myself praying, “Please Lord, increase my faith.” It’s a prayer that often rises in seasons of doubt, fear, fatigue, or uncertainty—those moments when life feels overwhelming and our trust feels inadequate.
We all face times when our faith feels too small:
When a loved one receives a diagnosis and we don’t know what the future holds
When we pray for change but nothing seems to happen
When we're raising children and wonder if we're doing anything right
When anxiety or depression make it hard to feel God’s presence
When we look at the brokenness in the world and feel helpless
In those moments, it’s easy to think we need more faith. But Jesus’ words remind us: it’s not about how big our faith is, but about where it is rooted. A mustard seed-sized faith in a mighty Savior is more than enough.
Jesus didn’t rebuke the disciples for asking, He simply shifted their perspective. It's not about measuring your faith, but about placing it in the One who is faithful. Our Savior’s love, power, wisdom, and grace are not limited by the strength of our belief. His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So when your faith feels small, don’t despair. Bring even your mustard seed to Jesus. He can do more with it than you could ever imagine.
Lord Jesus, thank You that even the smallest faith in You is enough. When we feel weak, uncertain, or overwhelmed, help us to trust not in the size of our faith, but in the greatness of who You are. You are loving, faithful, wise, and powerful beyond measure. Increase our trust in You daily, and help us to rest in Your grace. Amen.